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1 Sequences
Contents
1.1 Sequences
1, 3, 6, 10, 15,…,
The first term is 1, which is usually denoted by T(1). Similarly, the other terms
can be denoted by T(2), T(3), …etc. the (…) at the end means that the
sequence continues infinitely.
n(n + 1)
T ( n) = .
2
Content
General term can be
This is called the general term of the sequence regarded as the formula
generator of the
sequence.
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.1 Sequences
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.2 Arithmetic Sequence and Geometric Sequence
A. Arithmetic Sequence
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.2 Arithmetic Sequence and Geometric Sequence
B. Geometric Sequence
If each term of a sequence differs from the preceding term by the same
multiplying factor, this is called a geometric sequence. Moreover, the same
multiplying factor is called the common ratio, usually denoted by r.
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.3 Summing a Sequence
In other words, S(n) is the sum of the first n terms of sequence. For example, in
the sequence specified by the general term T(n) = (–1)n n2,
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.3 Summing a Sequence
A. Summing an Arithmetic Sequence
The formula for finding the sum of an arithmetic series with n terms is
given by
n
S (n) = (a + l ).
2
When we do not know the last term l, we may substitute l = a + (n – 1)d into
the formula of the sum of an arithmetic series.
n
S (n) = (a + a + (n – 1)d)
2
Content Another formula for finding the sum of an arithmetic series with n terms is
n
S (n) = (2a + (n − 1)d ).
2
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.3 Summing a Sequence
B. Summing a Geometric Sequence
For a geometric series whose first term is a and the common ratio is r,
the sum to n terms is given by
a (r n − 1)
S (n) = where r ≠ 1
r −1
This formula works best when r > 1 so that the denominator will not be
negative.
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1 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
1.3 Summing a Sequence
B. Summing to infinity
To find the sum to infinity S(∞) of a geometric series with –1 > r < 1, we
have a simple formula
a
S (∞) = .
1− r
Content
“∞ “ stands for infinity.
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